National Museum, a walk and pickpocketed on the metro

Walked to the National Museum in the morning. Just in front of the museum, this strange looking couple approached me and the guy asked if I spoke English, I said yes, and he asked for some money. He said he was a drug addict but needed the money to sleep! I refused and they walked away. Maybe I should have given them some money because by the end of the day I would have been pick-pocketed!

I spent 2 hours looking at various antiquties, including the striking gold mask excavated by Henrich Schleman (sp?) in the Myceanian age.

Neolithic potteries dating back almost 8 thousand years. A beautiful bronze statue of Zeus and the tiny boy on a big horse.

Went back to the hotel and rested for most of the afternoon before heading out about 6pm. I took some photos again at the National Library, this time I went inside. And the Academy, before the sun was set. Then I took the metro to Acropolis again and walked the streets of Plaka where there were lots of wallking streets lined with shops and restaurants. It was a pleasant walk and I ended up at the Tower of Winds again. Deciding between going to the Monument of unknown soldiers or back to the hotel, I opted to head back. I entered the subway again which I had taken the other day. This one was pretty crowded, and when I got on, there were several men who got on before me but they stood near the door not going further inside.

I was right at the door. I only had one stop to go. I had a funny feeling wondering why these people didn't move further in, and looked down to see my pouch was unzipped. and my wallet missing. I immediately knew the guy in front of me had taken it and I grabbed him and said You took my wallet, give it back! It was still very crowded and I couldn't see his hands because he had a bag in front of him, but he dropped my wallet and I picked it up, looking inside, the cash was gone! Another quick look, my ATM card, driver's license and credit cards were still there. I did not let the guy go but tried to get my money back, patting down his pockets. But apparently he had handed the money to his accomplices, I thought there were 3 of them working together from the look of them. I checked one of them and no money either. I was making quite a scene on the metro doing this I was sure. But these guys let me look into their pocklets, bags and I had no luck and had no choice but to let him go.

It was stupid of me to have the cash in the wallet and not guarding it more carefully. I suppose I had not been pick-pocketed in a long time and had gotten complacent. Well, that's an expensive lesson and reminder. At least he only took the cash and not my passport and other stuff which would have been a real pain.

It's too bad that my trip to Athens had an unpleasant ending, but now I am vigilant again and you will also be warned and be careful when you visit Athens.